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If we are going to have Brexit, we should benefit from the dividend from leaving the EU

Grant Shapps

After Brexit, it would then be up to MPs to decide whether to keep or scrap each piece of legislation originating from Brussels on a piece by piece basis.

But some Tory backbenchers want to include a "sunset clause" in the legislation that would mean former EU laws would be automatically scrapped at the end of a set time period.

Former Tory chairman Grant Shapps is planning an amendment to the Great Reform Act that would scrap all EU laws five years. His proposal would give ministers five years to decide what EU laws they want to retain and to draw up appropriate legislation to keep it in place.

Any measures not specifically picked out for retention by ministers would then automatically expire five years after the country's departure from the EU.

Mr Shapps said: "If we are going to have Brexit, we should benefit from the dividend from leaving the EU.

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"If we don't cut out the red tape, that is not going to get us in the right place to get that dividend."

He warned that keeping many Brussels regulations in place could mean businesses continuing to pay unnecessarily high costs for years after Brexit.

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Grant Shapps' amendment would scrap all EU laws five years

Mr Shapps added: "We remain in danger of ignoring the critical role business must play if we are to make Brexit a success.

"The Great Repeal Bill plans to incorporate all EU law into our own.

"In its current form it's more the Great Continuity Bill. We should tack on a sunset clause.

"While it isn't practical for Parliament to debate every clause of EU legislation before we leave, a five-year sunset clause would allow MPs to scrutinise former EU law before removing job-destroying clauses." Downing Street officials dismissed his plan yesterday.

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The Prime Minister plans to include the Bill in the next Queen's Speech

The Prime Minister's spokeswoman said: "Parliament is going to back in control with this Bill. MPs will be able to accept or reject laws as they see fit."

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Keeping many Brussels regulations in place could mean businesses continuing to pay high costs

Mr Shapps was planning to amend the Great Reform Bill when it comes before the Commons next year.

Given the Government's working Commons majority of 16, a rebellion by Tory backbenchers has the potential to force the Government to accept the sunset clause measure.